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NEWS
| Dr. Timothy D. Nifong Becomes CCA NC's First General Counsel |
On December 8, 2009, CCA-NC launched a new era in its mission to protect and enhance North Carolina marine resources by entering into an agreement that makes Dr. Timothy D. Nifong CCA-NC's first General Counsel. Tim has long been an ardent conservationist as an attorney, scientist, and educator in North Carolina. He holds both a law degree and a doctorate in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Tim spent a decade as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Division of the NC Department of Justice. Among his many duties with the Attorney General's Office, Tim advised the NC Marine Fisheries Commission over a period of years, and the NC Division of Marine Fisheries under three Directors-Bill Hogarth, Bruce Freeman, and Preston Pate. Tim also served as counsel to the legislative Moratorium Steering Committee in the late 1990s, authoring that Commission's Final Report aimed at comprehensively revising state marine fisheries laws. After leaving the Attorney General's Office, Tim taught biology, botany, and environmental science at Louisburg College in Louisburg, NC. He was appointed by Governor Hunt in 1998 to the scientist seat on the Marine Fisheries Commission. In that role, Tim served as Vice-Chair of the Commission and as Co-Chair of the Commission's Habitat and Water Quality Standing Advisory Committee.
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| 25 Jan 2010 - 13:26 by CCA North Carolina |
XNews
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| Marine Fisheries Director Proposes Extensive Removal of Gill Nets |
In a letter written to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Regional Administrator Roy Crabtree, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) director Dr. Louis Daniel proposes to close a large section of North Carolina estuarine waters to large mesh gill nets (larger than 3.5 inch mesh). The proposed closure, which would occur from May 15, 2010 through December 15, 2010, includes much of Pamlico Sound, Core Sound, Back Sound, and Cape Fear River. The reason for the closure stems from the violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as sea turtles frequently become entangled in gill nets and drown. Presently, the State of North Carolina has an exemption from the ESA, termed a section 10 permit, for part of the Pamlico Sound, where fishermen are allowed several hundred interactions with sea turtles; this area will not be affected by this proposal. Additionally, small mesh nets will be able to operate in the proposed closed areas; however they must be attended during the above-mentioned dates. This closure is only an interim closure, while the state applies for a section 10 permit for the entire state.
The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will hear this proposal at their March 24-25 meeting in Kitty Hawk, and if favorably reviewed, Dr. Daniel will issue the rule by proclamation immediately thereafter.
While CCA NC applauds this temporary move, Director Daniel and the MFC must make permanent measures to eliminate the use destructive fishing gear from our estuarine waters, thereby providing a better future for our coastal resources. CCA NC will continue to work with the MFC and Director Daniel to ensure the proper management of our state's marine resources.
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| 13 Jan 2010 - 12:35 by CCA North Carolina |
XNews
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